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Lowell schools to post headmaster job

By Sarah Favot, sfavot@lowellsun.com

Updated:
02/07/2013 06:35:55 AM EST

LOWELL -- The School Department is looking for someone with administrative experience in an educational organization who will lead, inspire and create a positive environment for continuous school improvement as the next headmaster of Lowell High School.

The School Committee unanimously approved the job posting Wednesday night for the next headmaster, who will be hired July 1 and be paid a salary of $120,000 to $130,000.

Lowell High School Headmaster Ed Rozmiarek announced to staff last week he was not offered a contract renewal by district administration. His three-year contract will expire June 30.

Other job requirements include: a masters degree or higher (doctorate degree preferred), at least five years teaching experience, licensed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a high-school principal/assistant principal and at least five years successful administrative experience.

Superintendent of Schools Jean Franco said new features of the three-page job description are that the headmaster must ensure systems are implemented for safety, security and emergency procedures for staff and students are followed consistently, and the headmaster must oversee school budgets and practice sound fiscal-management policies and procedures.

"We're really looking at all levels of the operation...

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the high school needs to have somebody to develop systems and enforce systems," Franco said.

She added building a positive culture and climate in the school will also be an important role of the next headmaster.

The topic of school-district facilities was also discussed during the School Committee and at a joint Facilities subcommittee meeting with City Council held before the regularly scheduled School Committee meeting.

The Facilities subcommittee addressed the outstanding number of work orders for maintenance problems in city schools to be addressed by the city's Department of Public Works.

Since last year, the number of open work orders has decreased from about 2,400 to about 830.

Councilor Joseph Mendonca said he was pleased with the reduction.

"What concerns me is the date some of these originated, back to 2008," he said.

Three outstanding work orders were opened in 2007.

Councilor Ed Kennedy suggested hiring high-school students over the summer to complete some of the requests that require low-skilled labor.

School Committee member Kristin Ross-Sitcawich suggested bringing in a group such as Youth Build or students from Greater Lowell Tech.

Councilor John Leahy suggested hiring DPW workers who would be dedicated to completing some of the smaller projects at the schools.

In the past, the city has hired temporary plumbers to complete some of the plumbing projects at different schools.

The joint subcommittee also discussed examining the future needs at Lowell High, something School Committee member James Leary has brought up with the School Committee.

He suggested putting together a commission of school, city and business leaders and the community to look at the future for facilities needs for the school.

The School Committee unanimously voted to issue a request for proposals, not to exceed $300,000, for a consultant to examine facilities at the high school and all the district's schools.

City Manager Bernie Lynch suggested working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority that would assist funding for large capital improvements.

The School Committee unanimously passed Mayor Patrick Murphy's motion to request Franco file a statement of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for science lab and other needed renovations at Lowell High.

Lynch said he feels comfortable recommending about $12 million in capital improvements next year, some of which will go toward the School Department's capital projects.

School Committee member Connie Martin was absent.

In other business, the committee:

* unanimously approved Franco's goals, upon which her evaluation this year will be based in part, which are: advance professional growth and development of assistant superintendents and principals; implement educator-evaluation system; adapt budget document and process; study school progress and institute focused system of support in lowest Level 3 schools to improve academic achievement; and refocus, align and expand alternative programs.

* unanimously passed Robert Gignac and Leary's motion to send a letter opposing the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's decision to no longer recognize boys gymnastics as a sanctioned high-school sport. Gignac said 52 boys compete in gymnastics at Lowell High.

* unanimously passed Martin and Kim Scott's motion to request the administration to look into incorporating science fairs at each middle school next year.

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